Unless you’re not a Nigerian, then the abbreviation "PVC" should still look strange to you. Yesterday, I discussed on my #Ulog post how I was able to apply and register for my Permanent Voters Card after the stress I had to go through. As promised, today I would be sharing more on what the PVC is and why you should get yourself one.

Hi there and welcome to my blog today. My name is Great Morgan and it is my pleasure to have you stop by my blog post today. I would be sharing with you below my research I did today on the PVC- it’s importance, features and characteristics. This was practically how I spent my day. Please if you find this post helpful do me a favour and re-steem it. Also try to read this attentively and not just skim through. Thank you.

WHAT IS VOTERS REGISTRATION?

Voters’ registration could be seen as the process in which people who are eligible to vote are identified, classified and included on a list. The list is popularly known as the register of voters. Those who are qualified for the process are later issued with a voters’ card which makes them entitled to voting during local or national elections.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS?

First of all, without the voters registration there might be a greater chance of not having a free and fair election within the country. The voters’ registration process helps to ensure that the electoral process is credible by removing the chance of having multiple voting from the same person. The voting process entails that people do not vote for more than one time per candidate- meaning that each candidate of any level of election is entitled to just ONE vote from one person. The voters’ registration also helps to ensure that people who are below 18 years old are not given the opportunity to vote since the regulated voting age is for adults who are 18 years old and above.

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THE VOTERS CARD?

Every voter’s card that would be issued would contain each of the following features;

• The names of the voter, starting from his or her surname followed by other names.
• The full residential address of the registrant
• The registrant’s sex, age, date of birth, occupation and other informational details.
• A passport photograph of the registrant.

So if you get to register yours and you do not see any of the details above on your temporary or permanent card, please ask questions or report to the officials in charge.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER AS A VOTER?

For anyone to qualify to be registered as a voter, he or she must;

• Be a citizen of the federal republic of Nigeria
• Be the age of 18 or above
• Be a resident, work in, and originate from the local government area, council, ward covered by the registration center.
• Be present to register his or herself at the registration center
• Not be subject to any form of incapacity to vote in Nigeria

If you know other rules or qualifications involved, kindly drop them in a comment below.

WHY SHOULD WE REGISTER FOR THE PVC?

It is necessary for people who are above the age of 18 years to register and have the privilege to own a voters’ card because the electoral law has specified that only those who have their names on the voters list would eligible to vote during the elections. Whosoever is interested in exercising their civic rights during the national elections must be willing to register and own a means of identification and qualification for voting. Without the voters card, it will be impossible to vote.

Also, the voters’ card serves as a means of identification that one is a Nigerian. This card could also be used in other instances where one might need a form of documentation of means of identification. Owning a voters card can be used in situations like opening a new bank account, claiming rights to a property and so on.

WHEN, WHERE AND HOW DOES ONE GET REGISTERED?

WHEN: The Nigerian law already permits INEC to carry on with the continuous voters registration for any suitable period of time. Since the registration process requires INEC to register new voters, compile, maintain and update the register, the commission is to determine the dates and timing that would be suitable for them to control the process. Although, the registration process and updating of the list must end at least 30 days prior to any election to help the commission coordinate.

WHERE: The registration for the voters’ card is always carried out at centers designated and approved by INEC. Their plan is to bring the registration exercise as close to the voters as possible as they can. To know what center you should register at, kindly visit any INEC office close to you or visit their website.

HOW: First of all, the registration process is by Direct Data Capture (DDC) system. The eligible person must be physically present at the center to present his or herself to the official in-charge of the registration center. The registering officer would require some information which is necessary to determine the identity and legibility of the participant. This is usually done by questioning of filling of forms. After the information gathering stage, the applicant’s details and particulars would be inputted in the Direct Data capture (DDC) device. The applicant is therefore issued a temporary voter’s card and his or her right thumb is marked to prevent them from multiple registrations.

That is how far I can go today guys. Thank you for reading this piece to this very point, once again if you found it helpful, don’t forget to resteem it. I remain your favourite steemian @morgangreat. Do well to drop your questions and contributions in a comment below.

References: www.incenigeria.org